‘I do not think there will be time for him to leave as well,’ I said gravely.
Queen Draga threw one hand across her breast with a superb defiance.
‘I do not go without my husband, sir.’
I was torn between admiration and despair.
‘I should have done better to remain in Paris, I perceive,’ I said sullenly.
‘On the contrary, dear Andrea, I, who know you so well, know that you have the heroism of soul to save the man you hate at the prayer of the woman you love.’
I stood thunderstruck, while she crossed the room into the adjoining bedchamber, and sounded a silver bell.
‘Inform his Majesty that I desire to see him very particularly as soon as possible.’
The servant who had answered the bell bowed and withdrew, with startled looks, from which I was inclined to suspect that he was in the pay of the assassins. Fortunately, he had not been able to see me where I stood.
The Queen now began hurriedly to change her dress for one more suitable for the emergency. Meanwhile there was no sign that her message had reached Alexander.